ncient congregation.
The wonderful change in the "Vicare du" was the subject of remark at
many a cottage hearth, and in many a roadside conversation.

"Oh! it's his son's coming home that has brightened him up so much; and
John Jones, postmaster, says he took the other letter as meek as a
lamb. But what has he done with it nobody knows. John Jones is saying
that it has never been posted again, so he must have got it still."

"Well, well! how can he post it when nobody knows where Mrs. Caradoc
Wynne is?"

"Mrs. Caradoc Wynne, indeed! Phrutt!"

* * * * * *

Early in the New Year, when the bare, brown hills had thrown off their
mantle of snow, and the blue waters of the bay were glinting in the
sunshine, and the starry, golden celandines looked up fearlessly from
every bank and hedge, a heavily-laden carriage, drawn by a pair of
strong horses, rolled along the dry, hard road from Caer Madoc towards
Abersethin. Its occupants looked at every scene with interest,
recalling reminiscences of former days at every turn of the road, and
looking out eagerly for the chimneys of the village, which lay at the
bottom of the valley.

The travellers were Cardo and Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Wynne. As the
carriage left the firm, high road, and began to descend one of the
stony lanes which led to the shores below, Cardo became silent and
thoughtful; he had hitherto been the life of the party. Returning home
in perfect health and spirits, he had given the rein to his fancy, and
was full of buoyant hopes and joyful anticipations.

The Vicar, apprised of their coming, was watching at the gate--indeed,
had been there more or less since breakfast, and it was now nearly noon.

Betto flew about with amazing agility, considering her size and weight,
dusting a chair, smoothing her apron, shading her eyes with her hand,
and peering towards the brow of the hill for some signs of their coming.

At last they arrived, and it would be useless to try to describe that
happy meeting. The Vicar seemed overwhelmed with joy, not only to
receive once more his beloved son, but also to clasp the hand of the
brother whom he thought had been estranged from him for ever!

It was quite an hour or two before they had all calmed down.

"We sha'n't keep this fellow long with us," said Lewis Wynne,
indicating Cardo with a jerk of his thumb; "he can scarcely take his
eyes off that ramshackle old house up there on the cliff; natura